Arts Centre Melbourne receives many requests to light our iconic Spire to support countless fantastic causes. While we’d love to be able to honour all of these, we assess all requests against the below criteria to ensure that when we do agree to a request, it aligns with our brand values and our role first and foremost as a champion of the performing arts. In addition, we limit the number of campaigns per month to avoid diluting message impact. This is underpinned by the following:

Illuminating the Spire is related to a high-awareness or high-profile community message, significant social/community campaign, major cultural event, a response to a national or global event, or significant charitable cause deemed appropriate by Arts Centre Melbourne, or that champions the development and promotion of the performing arts.

This event, campaign or cause is consistent with Arts Centre Melbourne’s values, brand and brand values, community role and core business in the performing arts.

As a publicly funded cultural institution, Arts Centre Melbourne is apolitical and can in no way support, or be seen to support, campaigns or causes of a political nature. Campaigns or causes aligned to gambling, tobacco or alcohol or those with commercial outcomes will not be supported.

There is sufficient profile or awareness of the high-profile community or charitable campaign, cultural event or cause, for the Spire illumination to be connected and understood by the general public. There is appropriate acknowledgement of Arts Centre Melbourne as part of a high-profile community or charitable campaign, cultural event or cause, such as via any media (print, broadcast or social) campaigns or coverage.

Availability of the Spire depending on other pre-existing campaigns/bookings, and ensuring that there is reasonable time between campaigns to avoid diluting campaign impact.

Please note: Not all requests are able to be accommodated and all decisions are final.

Arts Centre Melbourne receives many requests
to support countless fantastic causes. While we’d love to honour all of these,
unfortunately we aren’t able to offer donations; instead, we channel our
resources through subsidising access initiatives like our Schools
Program and First
Call Fund – a subsidy
program that ensures all Victorian schools, no matter what barriers they may
face, have the opportunity to experience the arts.

Collections and Exhibitions

The Australian Performing Arts Collection is used in our changing exhibitions and displays, both onsite and touring. Please check our Exhibitions & Displays section.

Our primary exhibition space, Gallery 1, has become a permanent home for a new music-focused exhibition – the Australian Music Vault. We’ll be diving into the wealth of resources contained within the Australian Performing Arts Collection to curate the Australian Music Vault experience. More information about the Australian Music Vault is available here.

The Collections are used regularly by curators, historians, performers, writers, publishers, staff and members of the general public. Research outcomes have included family histories, plays, articles, books, films and documentaries, and artworks. Arts Centre Melbourne also runs an active loans program. We lend material to cultural organisations in Australia and overseas.

The Australian Performing Arts Collection houses approximately 60,000 programs donated by individuals and performing arts companies for over 40 years. We have complete holdings for most major performing arts companies in Melbourne and have ongoing deposit arrangements with many of them. We're currently looking for programs representing less mainstream performers and companies. Please view our Donation Guidelines for further details.

We welcome the support of those interested in Arts Centre Melbourne’s Collections, with financial contributions towards purchases, conservation treatments or our other activities important in continuing to grow our Collections. You can also make a bequest in support of the Collections through Arts Centre Melbourne's Philanthropy team. Please contact privategiving@artscentremelbourne.com.au

If you'd like to donate culturally significant material to the Collections, please see our Donation Guidelines. Alternatively, if you're interested in volunteering your time, you may like to join our waiting list to participate in the Collection Volunteer Program. Please contact the Research Centre for more information on volunteering with the Collections.

Arts Centre Melbourne's Collections have been largely developed by generous donations of culturally significant material by members of the general public. Material may be gifted through outright donation, bequest or through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, which provides tax deductions for the donation of highly significant cultural material. Material offered for donation is assessed regularly by the Collection Development Group in line with our Collection Development Policy. Please view our Donation Guidelines for further details.

Arts Centre Melbourne's Australian Performing Arts Collection is Australia's largest and most important collection of performing arts history and traditions across circus, dance, music, opera and theatre. The Collection includes designs, costumes, objects, programs, photographs and so much more.

How do I hire an Arts Centre Melbourne venue or space? - Plan Your Show - Our Services

Arts Centre Melbourne offers a comprehensive ticketing service online, by phone and in person at our box office*. All tickets Sidney Myer Music Bowl events are available for purchase via our ticketing partner, Ticketmaster.

Hamer Hall
hire fees includes a standard lighting and audio rig. All other venues come with
bare walls. Equipment is available but any technical labour incurs an additional cost. All Arts Centre Melbourne venues require a minimum crew to ensure safe operations.

How do I hire an Arts Centre Melbourne venue or space? - Plan Your Show - Filming Photography

We would love you to share pictures and video of your visit with us on social media networks (don’t forget those ‘@’ or ‘#’ symbols so we know you’re sharing the Arts Centre Melbourne love!) and even on your personal blog, but only if there is no commercial aspect to the publishing of the images or video – it must be for personal use only and not contravene any other of our policies around filming.

Yes! Arts Centre Melbourne is proud to abide by the Victorian Film Friendly Guidelines 2014. Every
assistance will be offered, subject to site activity, sponsorship agreements and
availability. Terms and conditions apply.

If you are outside the building or in the foyer then 100%, yes! We want you to share your memories of your visit with friends and family, but unless you have sought permission from us, any footage you take must be for personal use only and not contravene any of our policies around filming. Thanks for respecting this, now snap away!

Photography during performances is generally not permitted. Please check with venue staff upon entering to confirm the photography policy for the performance you are attending.

Not without approval from us. Please submit a brief outlining your film shoot request to venuehire@artscentremelbourne.com.au for our review. We’ll be back in touch with you once a decision has been made.

Of course we understand you want to record your event, performance or other activity during your time at Arts Centre Melbourne, why wouldn't you?!

As part of your agreement when hiring our spaces an venues, there is a separate 'Recording Form' that needs to be submitted, so please speak to either your Account Manager, Production Manager or whoever your contact is at Arts Centre Melbourne to ensure this is submitted and approved before doing any recording. Thanks!

Thanks for the invitation to be part of your happy day and congratulations!

A few things you need to know first. Due to the constant level of activity across all our public spaces, we don't permit wedding photography inside our foyers. But if you’re using our venues for a wedding reception or simply want to take some of your professional wedding snaps with us as the background, feel free to wander along the external balconies of either the Theatres Building or Hamer Hall, including grassed areas.

Please remember though, as with any other filming at Arts Centre Melbourne, the photos or video taken can't be for commercial purposes and must be for personal use only, and not contravene any other policy around filming.

Join Support

As a
not-for-profit arts organisation that receives 25% of its operational funding
from the Victorian Government, we also rely on the generous support of the public via
a number of different programs. You can
read about how you can help through our Join & Support page or by calling
(03) 9281 8711.

We're lucky to receive financial support in numerous shapes and forms, so if you'd like to join the generous group of individuals, families, companies and organisations who dig deep to assist Arts Centre Melbourne deliver its events and programs, head to our Join & Support page
for more information.

Arts Centre Melbourne has a great membership program, with members receiving 25% off Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park rates, a personalised booking line, discounts at many of our food and beverage outlets, and a range of discounts, special offers and invitations to a calendar of events and functions. Members also have access to their own Members Lounge and Dining Room for pre-theatre dining or light refreshments. More information is available on our Membership page.

Community

Children aged under 2 years are admitted free of charge to some performances seated on their carer’s lap without a pram. Please contact us on 1300 182 183 if you're unsure whether this applies to the specific performance you wish to attend.

We welcome people of all ages to experience Arts Centre Melbourne’s offerings. Our ‘Babes in Arms’ policy for the majority of events means children under two years of age may be admitted without a ticket if they remain seated on the lap of a parent or guardian.

For performances aimed specifically at children two and under, a ticket may be required – check the event information for more details, or if in doubt, please call our team on 1300 182 183.

Arts Centre Melbourne is a place for everyone in the community, so when bringing children please consider the interests and enjoyment of everyone attending. Any person (regardless of age) interrupting the enjoyment of others may be asked to leave an event and/or venue.

Not being able to
see something that everyone else can isn’t much fun, so we have booster seats
available for children in the Playhouse, Fairfax Studio, State Theatre and Hamer Hall. So, just ask our friendly staff and they’ll be able to
provide you with one, so long as this doesn’t obstruct the view of the person
sitting behind.

If you're attending a ticketed daytime Family show, you automatically get the Early Bird parking rate of $17 when entering the Arts Centre Melbourne car park prior to these performances' start times and exiting by 6:30pm. This offer is valid Monday to Friday for daytime car parking only. Public Holidays are excluded.

Arts Centre Melbourne provides age recommendations for all family performances to help you and your children get the most out of your visit. While we work closely with the creators of the performances to determine a suitable age recommendation, it's still ultimately up to you as the parent to make the final decision around suitability.

To keep you
safe while you’re here, prams are not permitted inside our theatres. Speak
to our staff for directions to where you can park your pram in the building while you’re inside
enjoying the show.

For schools: Your assessed application is valid for the activities you apply for. There may be some limits and all shows are subject to availability, so get in touch to discuss how to make the most of the First Call Fund throughout the year.

For community groups: Your assessed application is valid for 12 months and you are welcome to make multiple bookings in this time. There may be some limits and all shows are subject to availability, so get in touch to discuss how to make the most of the First Call Fund throughout the year.

The First Call Fund was established in 2008 thanks to the incredible generosity of Arts Centre Melbourne’s philanthropic supporters. Since then, the fund has continued to grow through the generosity of many different Victorians who share our belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to engage with the arts in a meaningful way.

Community - Access General

We present programs and performances that are Relaxed, Auslan Interpreted, Audio Described, Open Captioned, Tactile Tours, Highly Visual and Wheelchair accessible. An Assistive Hearing system is available in our venues and Companion Card holders are eligible for a complimentary companion ticket.

All our venues are wheelchair accessible from street level, with lifts operating between levels in both the Theatres building and Hamer Hall. Wheelchair spaces are available at all events, including many events at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, subject to availability. Complementary loan wheelchairs can also be booked to assist with travel throughout the building. Please call our contact centre on 1300 182 183 for assistance with booking wheelchair accessible seating/spaces or loaning a wheelchair.

All levels of the Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park are fully wheelchair accessible. Accessible parking bays are available on both levels.

Arts
Centre Melbourne event pages are tagged with access icons so you can identify
accessible events at a glance. The tags are located at the bottom of the page
and often include a description. If you have any questions about the event’s
accessibility please call our contact centre on 1300 182 183.

Please
ask venue staff for the closest accessible toilet to your location. In the
Theatres Building there are accessible toilets on Level 3, 5, 6 and 7. In Hamer
Hall there are accessible toilets on every level.

The Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park has a height restriction of 1.9m. For vehicles above this height restriction accessible parking spaces are available nearby to Arts Centre Melbourne, please see City of Melbourne Accessible Amenities for more details.

The Companion Card has been developed by the Victorian Network on Recreation and Disability and admits carers to shows as complimentary guests. Arts Centre Melbourne welcomes holders of this card to attend the many events on offer.

Community - Access General - Relaxed Performances

Relaxed Performances are for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment – this can include but is not limited to people with autism, sensory sensitivities, learning disabilities, dementia as well as those living with anxiety or who have experienced trauma.

A relaxed performance is the same show but there are some small production changes. These changes are made to eliminate surprise and reduce anxiety levels making theatre more welcoming for some audiences.

We focus on modifying the sensory environment and provide pre-show resources to help audiences prepare for their visit. During a Relaxed Performance, there is a relaxed attitude to noise and movement from audiences. Theatre doors remain open, house lights will be up, sound and lighting cues may be modified, doors will be open for people to come and go as they wish and a quiet area is available for audiences. Resources are also available to help audiences prepare for the performance.

For information and warnings about a performance, please check the warnings on the performance webpage and download the Visual Story. The Visual Story will be available to download on the performance webpage a few weeks prior to the performance.

There will be a designated Quiet Area for you to go to in the foyer of the theatre. The Quiet Area will be somewhere you can relax before the show, and where you can come and go to whenever you want during the performance, should you need to take a break. There will be comfy seating including bean bags, sensory items, and the Visual Story will be available. You can return to the theatre when you are ready – trained staff are available to assist as required.

You can take your headphones and your tablet into the theatre to assist with communication. We just ask that you please inform the ushers beforehand. We also recommend that you are mindful of the people around you whilst using a tablet, and limit its use throughout the performance so that it is not too distracting to others.

All our venues are wheelchair accessible from street level, with lifts operating between levels in both the Theatres building and Hamer Hall. Wheelchair spaces are available at all events, including many events at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, subject to availability – early bookings are recommended. Complementary loan wheelchairs can also be booked to assist with travel throughout the building. Please call our contact centre on 1300 182 183 for assistance with booking wheelchair accessible seating/spaces or loaning a wheelchair.

All levels of the Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park are fully wheelchair accessible. Accessible parking bays are available on both levels.

You can park in the Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park. All levels of the Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park are fully wheelchair accessible. Our 22 clearly marked accessible parking bays are available on both levels, all offering clear access to our theatres. Please display your valid Parking Permit for people with disability; standard rates apply.

The entry for Arts Centre Melbourne’s carpark is corner of Sturt and Kavanagh Streets.

Discounts for the Valet parking service are also available for permit holders.

The Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park has a height restriction of 1.9m. For vehicles above this height restriction accessible parking spaces are available nearby to Arts Centre Melbourne, please see City of Melbourne Accessible Amenities for more details.

Arts Centre Melbourne is located at 100 St Kilda Road, in between the National Gallery of Victoria and the Yarra River, it is a few minutes walk from Federation Square and Flinders Street Station.Train – A short walk from Flinders Street Station. Tram – Take any tram along St Kilda Road and get off at Arts Centre Melbourne, Stop 14.
For more information about public transport options please visit the website here.

Please ask venue staff for the closest accessible toilet to your location. In the Theatres Building there are accessible toilets on Level 3, 5, 6 and 7. In Hamer Hall there are accessible toilets on every level.

The
Companion Card has been developed by the Victorian Network on Recreation and
Disability and admits carers to shows as complimentary guests. Arts Centre
Melbourne welcomes holders of this card to attend the
many
events on offer.

Sessions
are held at The Channel, located riverside of Hamer Hall, please see the map. Please note these sessions are not held in
computer labs, if you are looking for computer based workshops please see other
options in The Channel.

Special Developmental Schools or Special Schools with small groups of
students. The program is specifically
designed for students with disability who limited opportunities to access
mainstream programs.

Community - Accessibility AMP Channel - Siblings in Sync

Families
with siblings around the ages of 5 to 10.
Please note that you are welcome to speak with staff about making a
booking for children outside of this age range, but you need to be aware that
the sessions are planned for children aged 5 – 10.

Community - Accessibility AMP Channel - Sound Beginnings

This
program is for children aged 3 to 5 years (preschool age) who have
delayed development or a diagnosed disability. At least one
parent or caregiver is required to stay for the duration of the session.
Occasionally it's appropriate for children younger than 3 attend;
please get in touch if you'd like to discuss the program further.

No
– unfortunately we cannot take bookings for less than 6 sessions. This
program is especially designed as a therapeutic ‘block’ where children are
supported to become familiar with the program, others in the group and to
develop skills over time.

Many families who attend Sound Beginnings do not have access to funding options, which is why we have kept costs as low as possible ($180 for a block of 6 sessions). Please note that our costs are low due to generous support of donors.

Please take note if the following funding options apply to your child:

a. HCWA funding: Can be used, however please be aware this does incur additional administration fees.

b. NDIS : Can only be used by families who have a self-managed plan.

c. Baptcare Flexible Support Package: Consult your early intervention provider for more information & eligibility; this can be used with our program.

Community - Community Partner Program FAQs

Organisations and community groups who work with those who rarely, if ever, get the opportunity to visit Arts Centre Melbourne.

Our community partners include organisations of all sizes, from local government through to small volunteer-run community groups, and offer support and services to people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.

All Community Partner Program experiences are paid for through generous donations provided to the First Call Fund.

The First Call Fund was established in 2008 thanks to the incredible generosity of Arts Centre Melbourne’s philanthropic supporters. Since then, the fund has continued to grow through the generosity of many different Victorians who share our belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to engage with the arts in a meaningful way.

Subsidised
tickets are available for all Arts Centre Melbourne Presents performances and
workshops (subject to availability). Other performances may be available from
time to time, so contact the Associate Producer Access & Inclusion (03 9281 8784 or
community@artscentremelbourne.com.au) if there is a particular show that is of
interest to your community members.

When coming on board as a Community Partner, you will be asked to agree to the Terms and Conditions.

We require one person from your Organisation to be our key contact. This person will be our first point of call for any opportunities at Arts Centre Melbourne, as well as bookings.

We want the partnership to be beneficial and have an impact on your community. We encourage Community Partners to book for a variety of experiences. We appreciate bookings made in advance and ask to be notified of any changes to numbers at least 10-days before the scheduled performance.

We ask all our Community Partners to complete a post-visit evaluation. Your feedback is invaluable.

All
bookings made online and over the phone require you to register contact details
(name, address, phone number, email) during your purchase. This is so we can
let you know of any important information about the performance you're attending
and also quickly and easily assist you with any enquiries you may have about your purchase. If you're booking tickets at the Box Office and would prefer not to
provide your contact details, we will not be able to provide these services to
you.

At present, we don’t offer print-at-home ticketing but there are several options for receiving your tickets: Regular post (up until one week prior to your performance); Express or Registered Post (extra fees apply); and Venue Collection (from our Box Office right up until show time). Please note: Tickets booked less than one week prior to your performance are only available as "Venue Collection".

Arts Centre Melbourne is committed to displaying fees and charges up front so consumers are aware of these prior to booking. A service charge of $8.50 per transaction applies to all bookings made online, by phone or by mail. This fee goes towards providing, maintaining and updating the website, and to supplement the ticketing facilities and services we provide. You may also choose to have tickets sent to you by Registered or Express Post (extra fees apply).

When collecting tickets, you need your Order Number and the credit card used for the booking. You may also be asked for photo ID and must always bring a valid concession card for tickets purchased at concession rates. Someone else can collect your tickets (except for performances at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl) provided we have received prior authorisation from you (call 1300 182 183 to organise this) and whoever collects the tickets has order details and photo ID with them when collecting.

A concession card (or valid photo ID with date of birth clearly visible if booking "Youth" tickets) is required at the time of purchase. Photocopies of concession cards can be used provided the expiry date is visible. Please note: Concession numbers are not sufficient proof of concession status.

If your booking was made directly through Arts Centre Melbourne you can collect tickets from our main Box Office in the Theatres Building (under the Spire) Monday - Saturday, 9:00am to 8:30pm and Sunday, 10:00am to 5:00pm from the far right priority queue or from the Hamer Hall Box Office Monday - Sunday, 10:00am to 5:45pm. If you’re collecting in the hour-and-a-half before the show for the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, please proceed to Gate 1, unless signalled onsite to an alternative area. Please note: Any bookings not made through Arts Centre Melbourne direct (for example, through our Resident Companies or authorised ticketing agencies) can only be collected one hour prior from the venue you are attending.

The best way to ensure you’re getting what you paid for is to purchase tickets through an authorised Ticketing Service Provider. Please refer to the event page to check the authorised Ticketing Service Providers for a particular event or contact us on 1300 182 183 for more information.

Avoid buying tickets through unauthorised third party websites that sell secondary (or second-hand) tickets, as there’s no guarantee the tickets will be valid for entry at the venue. Tickets purchased from unauthorised third party websites may be cancelled without notice.

Visit - General

If you book tickets online, you can use the “Select your own Seat” option to choose seats straight from the map – and if you click the little camera up in the top left hand corner, we will even give you a cheeky peek at what it looks like to sit from different parts of our theatres. There are also static maps available on the pages of each of our main venues.

There is no official dress code for Arts Centre Melbourne (with the exception of Back-stage Tours where closed-toed shoes must be worn) but we do have some standard conditions for anyone visiting our buildings. You can view our 'Conditions of Entry' for more information. By entering any of the Arts Centre Melbourne buildings, you are agreeing to these conditions.

Arts Centre Melbourne is made up of two primary buildings, as well as the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The 'Theatres' building of Arts Centre Melbourne (the ‘building with the spire’!), contains the State Theatre, the Playhouse and the Fairfax Studio, as well as Gallery 1, Café Vic, the Barre and the Pavilion. Hamer Hall (formally known as the Melbourne Concert Hall) sits just across the lawn beside the Yarra River. Both buildings, as well as the lawn in between, the forecourt in front of the Theatres Building and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl are part of Arts Centre Melbourne. The National Gallery of Victoria NGV) is not part of Arts Centre Melbourne, although it is our nearest Arts neighbour! The NGV has the State's largest collection of classic national and international art. Arts Centre Melbourne also boasts an impressive art collection, with most works having been commissioned for the spaces in which they hang. The majority of these works are on public display in our foyers and exhibition spaces. Take the time to either explore the works for yourself, or to take one of our guided tours. Arts Centre Melbourne also has in its Performing Arts Collection Australia's largest and most important collection of performing arts history and traditions.

Many shows at Arts Centre Melbourne sell out, with potentially over 5000 people in our theatres when we are at capacity, so be sure to allow enough time to find parking, collect your tickets, drop your larger items at our free cloakroom, make your way to the venue, buy a program, order your interval drinks and find your seat. To avoid disrupting both the audience and the performers, most performances have a lockout restricting entry until a suitable break in the performance: For some productions, the lockout can be until interval; for others, the entire show! So, please arrive early, maybe grab a drink or bite to eat before your show, and ensure you have the perfect Arts Centre Melbourne experience.

Whether it’s great coffee and a snack, full dinner before your show or a nightcap straight after, Arts Centre Melbourne has a range of food and beverage options, including: Cento Espresso, The Barre, Café Vic, Bar Mezz and Allegro. Foyer Bars in all our theatres are also open one hour prior to performances. Even better, become an Arts Centre Melbourne member, and you will get discounts to all these outlets! Arts Centre Melbourne can also help you with that special function you're planning, with a variety of rooms perfect for almost any event - our Conferences and Events page has more information and contact details.

Visit - Accessibility

The Companion Card has been developed by the Victorian Network on Recreation and Disability (VICNORD) and admits carers to shows as complimentary guests. Arts Centre Melbourne welcomes holders of this card to attend the many events on offer.

Our theatres are accessible via lifts in both the Theatres Building and Hamer Hall, and during show times we have an usher available to assist anyone with access needs to their seats. Both buildings also have multiple accessible toilet facilities. Assistance animals are welcome in all our theatres.

Assisted-listening devices for use in all seats of Arts Centre Melbourne venues (plus on Guided Tours and for meetings) are available free of charge. These devices use standard headphones or connect with hearing aids via a neck loop. Please speak to our staff when you arrive for assistance with obtaining these devices.

Braille is used in the lifts, as well as other areas of Arts Centre Melbourne. Other services including Captioning, Tactile Tours and AUSLAN interpretation are available for selected performances. Vision Australia provides Audio
Description and Tactile Tours of selected performances.

Wheelchairs can be booked for use in our buildings through the Welcome Desk on (03) 9281 8298.

Although
Arts Centre Melbourne car park has plenty of accessible spaces, it's still best
to arrive early when possible. Holders of a valid Disabled Persons Parking
Permit can also pre-reserve Valet parking at a specially discounted rate to the
standard price.

Arts Centre Melbourne car park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with several options available, including Permanent, Early Bird, Valet Parking, Casual and Accessible Parking. Entry is via Sturt and Kavanagh Streets, just off Southbank Boulevard.

Great news – Arts Centre Melbourne car park is open 24/7,
meaning you can get access to your parked vehicle at any time. See information
on our car parking page for details around rates at different
times. Pedestrian access to our Car Park is through the Theatres Building via Level 5, or available 24 hours via the stairs adjacent to the National Gallery of Victoria moat.

Visit - Sidney Myer Music Bowl

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is a very versatile venue that can be configured in a lot of different ways however for a standard main stage the following options most likely will be available.

Stalls – The Stalls area is sold as a reserved seat area and is located under the canopy closest to stage. This area is very popular and usually sells very quickly.

Boxes/Balcony – The Boxes (or Balcony as it is sometimes known) is an area of reserved seats located above the stalls on the sides of the venue. This area offers a unique side view of the stage however is not often available as the view may be blocked by technical equipment or allocated to back of house guests. Seats in this area are very limited.

Terrace – The Terrace is a lawn area located up a small set of stairs directly behind the stalls and in front of the main lawn area. This area is not considered undercover. It is sometimes sold as a reserved seat area where small beach chairs are provided but increasingly it is sold as a general admission area that also allows access to the stalls facilities.

Lawn – The Lawn area is sold as a general admission area and is located behind the stalls and terrace area. It is not considered undercover. This is the largest area and is where the majority of ticket holders buy tickets. It has access to food trucks, toilets and bars.

Front General Admission – For some events the area directly in front of the stage (forward of the stalls reserved seats) is sold as a general admission area. Patrons who purchase these tickets get exclusive access to stand in the area but do not get a reserved seat. If this section is sold to patrons then the front two rows of reserved seats behind this area are sold as restricted view.

It depends on the ticket options available for the show and the number of
patrons in the orchestra pit. If there is space and all designated ticket
holders have been accommodated then it may be possible however reserved seat
holders are only officially entitled to their allocated seat location.

Set times are provided by the promoter and are published once they are
established however it is not unusual for the times to change and are sometimes
not finalised until the day of the show. The latest set times will be published
on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website where possible.

Support act details are provided by the
promoter and are published once they are established however they may not be
finalised until the day of the show. Keep an eye on Arts Centre Melbourne’s
website for the latest news.

The time that a main act starts can vary
depending on the running time of the show and the number of support acts
however most main acts start around 9pm. Running times are generally finalised
a week prior to the show and placed on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website where
possible.

Gates for the Sidney Myer Music Bowl will open an hour prior to the
start time of the concert however on occasion this may change due to
operational requirements. Keep an eye on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website for
all the latest news.

The Channel is accessible – for more information, including wheelchair and Auslan bookings, please contact Arts Centre Melbourne’s Access Manager Wendy O’Neill on (03) 9281 8944 or
wendy.oneill@artscentremelbourne.com.au during business hours.

The Channel is Arts Centre Melbourne learning and participation venue. This exciting, spacious venue boasts high tech learning labs, a world class recording studio and vocal booth and a flexible multi-use space.
Workshops and the Accessible Music Program take place at The Channel.

Visit - Tixatsix

Tixatsix
tickets are only available at the Arts Centre Melbourne Theatres Building Box
Office (under the spire on Level 5) from 6pm Melbourne local time each evening.
This is the only place you can purchase tixatsix tickets, even if the show on
offer is at Hamer Hall or the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

A minimum
of 20 tickets are available every night*from 6pm, for $30 each,
with a limit of 2 tickets per person per night. These tickets are
allocated across one or more eligible performances that night, so the show
could be anything from classical music to circus. Once this allocation has been
sold, further tickets may not be available as part of the tixatsix offer.

*Please note: On rare nights our venues may be dark (without any performances on any of our stages), which means there won't be a tixatsix offering. So, be sure to check the What's On calendar for the most up-to-date list of upcoming events. For more information about tixatsix, please download our Terms and Conditions.

We reveal
what show or shows are on offer at 5pm each night. You can find out by coming
to the Box Office on Level 5 of the Theatres Building (under the spire), or by
phoning our Contact Centre on 1300 182 183 (open Monday to Saturday).

Unfortunately
this is a question we can’t answer as human behavior can be unpredictable –
sometimes the queue starts at 5.45pm and sometimes it starts several hours
earlier. Come at a time that feels comfortable for you, but remember that once
you join the queue you will need to stay in it to keep your place in line.

Visit - Tours

Our Theatres and Exhibitions (front of house) tours are wheelchair accessible, and we can offer the portable audio loop to assist with hearing needs. Auslan Interpreters can also be arranged if requested far enough in advance. Our Backstage Tour meanders through some tricky parts of our building, which unfortunately means it is not accessible to wheelchairs. For further enquiries please contact Arts Centre Melbourne’s Disability Access Manager on (03) 9281 8503 during business hours

You certainly can. In fact, we would love to show and tell you about a bunch of stuff you might never know unless you get the lowdown from one of our excellent tour guides! Head to Explore the Buildings for more information.

There are no age restrictions on the Theatres & Exhibitions (front of house) Tours, but our Backstage Tours do have a minimum age requirement of 12-years-old. All minors 15 and under on any of our tours must be accompanied by an adult.

ArtsConnect9 brings Year 9 students
from regional Victoria to Melbourne for world-class arts experiences for $9 per
student, plus full travel reimbursement (teachers complimentary) - read up on the program and make a booking!

Arts Centre Melbourne is located at 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 between the National Gallery of Victoria and the Yarra River. It's only minutes away from Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and the CBD.

See our Getting Here page for information on public transport options.

Drop off points for chartered buses are located in the (city-bound) service lane of St Kilda Road outside the NGV and Hamer Hall, but there is no parking permitted at these locations. Two-hour bus parking is available opposite Arts Centre Melbourne along St Kilda Road and is regulated by the Melbourne City Council. For more details please visit melbourne.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9658 9658.

Parking for standard sized vehicles is available in Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park via the corner of Sturt and Kavanagh Streets, Southbank. Learn more about the Arts Centre Melbourne Car park.

Guided
Tours. Our guides will take students
through the foyers and into the auditoriums (where available) and reveal the
history, design and function of the buildings, as well as explaining the
significance of the artwork that fills the walls of our foyers. Find our more information about
our Guided Tours.

Gallery
Spaces. Free
performing arts exhibitions are offered throughout the year in our main Gallery Space 1.

Explore the area! Arts Centre Melbourne sits within the heart of Melbourne’s Cultural
Precinct, with sites such as National Gallery of Victoria, ACMI, the State Library of Victoria and Melbourne
Museum either a walk or tram ride away.

Learn - Booking School Excursions

It depends on the performance but usually no, you will not
need a physical ticket for the show. Most school shows are dedicated matinees
for schools only, and Front of House staff use a seating plan. Each school is
greeted by our staff and seated in the auditorium as group.
We ask that teachers sit among their
students to ensure appropriate supervision across the entire group.

Schools Performances
Please arrive at Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt in front of the Theatres Building (under the spire) 30 minutes prior to your scheduled performance time.
You will be met by a member of the Education team who will then direct your group to the appropriate foyer.
This is good time to use the bathrooms before you proceed to the theatre.
If you are bringing multiple age groups, it helps if classes are lined up with the most junior classes first as we like to seat them in front of the older children.

The Channel
The Channel is located next to Hamer Hall along the Yarra River.
From St Kilda Road–Walk around Hamer Hall main entrance to the right, and pass Fatto Restaurant.
The entrance to The Channel is the set of glass doors to your left. Staff will meet groups at Arts Centre Melbourne Reception at The Channel main entrance. Please arrive 5 minutes prior to the start time unless otherwise arranged.

Food and drinks are not permitted in the auditorium and all electronic devices must be switched off. We highly recommend that schools bags are left at school. For safety reasons, school bags cannot be brought into the auditorium. School lunches may be stored in the foyers and will be supervised by our staff.

For workshops in The Channel, bags can be stored in workshop spaces. Some workshops require pre-workshop tasks to be completed by students – make sure you check your emails and bring any of this material along on the day!

School lunches may be eaten on the lawn area between the
Theatres Building and Hamer Hall or in the Queen Victoria Gardens opposite Arts
Centre Melbourne. If it rains, students may eat lunches in the theatre
foyers (subject to performance schedules). Please note: food and drinks are
not permitted in the auditorium.

Learn - Emerging Creatives - 5x5x5

In 2013 we wanted to do something that explored hidden places within Arts Centre Melbourne, and to create a unique artistic experience of these spaces. Our venues are often transitory spaces – people bustling through foyers to get in and out of shows, the constant ebb and flow of cars and people in and out of the carpark, the passing pedestrian traffic...so we wanted to create a journey through our bright and colourful halls encouraging people to stop and listen and contemplate for, well, 5 minutes.

Register to perform your routine in a Class Clowns heat. Heats are held annually (usually during March) in the run up to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. For more information about the program visit the Class Clowns website

LOL Squad are a team of funny peeps aged 14 – 18 and are alumni from Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Class Clowns. It’s important to remember that if you are over 18, Class Clowns is not for you. You can, however, register to be a part of RAW Comedy

Yes! The Class Clowns Comedy Crash Course Workshop could be just what you are looking for. These workshops are for beginners and do not require any prior knowledge or skills. You can find out more about the school holidays program here or talk your teacher into booking a workshop for your class here.

Aardvark is a not-for-profit organisation that uses the power of music, combined with support, peer connection and collaboration to give young people living with major adversity the opportunity to expand their identity and wellbeing through creative self-expression and skills development. Aardvark focuses on providing a community for young people with similar life experiences and who require extra support to access music and song writing opportunities. Emphasis is also placed on providing opportunities for future pathways into leadership and employment.

The New Slang events team are teens aged 15-17, but anyone can attend a New Slang gig Keep up to date with New Slang gigs by subscribing to the Arts Centre Melbourne mailing list or check out the What’s On pages of our website.

The Push is a Victorian non-profit youth music organisation established in 1986. Through a wide range of music related programs The Push aim to educate, entertain, inspire and empower young people. The Push works with music for young people as event organisers, audiences, community members and creative artists in a range of programs including band competitions, dance workshops, mentoring, and creative and professional development programs.

Ableton Live is a software music sequencer and digital audio workstation designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for composing, recording, arranging, mixing and mastering. It’s used by music producers, DJs and others in the music industry. The Ableton Live User Group Melbourne is a community of producers, musicians and like-minded creatives who gather to share ideas, discuss production techniques and present works-in-progress to their peers. They meet, monthly, at The Channel. For more information check out the Ableton Live Facebook page

Learn - Extended Learning

Many of our extended learning programs are special, one-off
events created for a specific show or learning experience, such as Design Academy.
On the other hand, programs like Stories in the Wall have been running for several years.

In 2017, three Victorian primary schools along with 18 secondary students will be selected to take a part in this special project. For Arts Centre Melbourne, the creatives on the project included: Project Manager – Joshua Cowie; Playwrights – Amelia Evans and Dan Giovannoni; Creative Learning Team – David Rogers, Amy Bennett, Joshua Cowie and Zoe Rinkel

Arts Centre Melbourne’s creative learning producers are always developing exciting workshops to extend young people’s creativity and knowledge of the arts. To keep up to date with Arts Learning events, subscribe to our eNews - email us at schools@artscentremelbourne.com.au

Learn - First Call Fund

For schools, before the event, email firstcallfund@artscentremelbourne.com.au a quote from your bus company. The amount the First Call Fund can contribute to your costs will then be clarified in writing. After the event, email a copy of your receipt of payment to the bus company and invoice Arts Centre Melbourne for the determined amount (Note: The level of contribution is determined on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.) For community groups, costs are calculated at $7 per person, up to $350 (50 people). Pricing is based on the cost of an adult Myki ticket. Organisations are to invoice Arts Centre Melbourne directly. A transport subsidy is at the complete discretion of the First Call Fund assessment committee and on a performance by performance basis, and cannot be guaranteed.

For schools, your assessed application is valid for the activities you apply for. There may be some limits and all shows are subject to availability, so get in touch to discuss how to make the most of the First Call Fund throughout the year. For community groups, your assessed application is valid for 12 months and you are welcome to make multiple bookings in this time. There may be some limits and all shows are subject to availability, so get in touch to discuss how to make the most of the First Call Fund throughout the year.

The First Call Fund was created by Arts Centre Melbourne to help remove barriers that prevent Victorians from participating in the arts. The Fund provides support specifically to schools and community groups so they can experience the huge variety of live performances, workshops and other participatory events at Arts Centre Melbourne. It is available to any Victorian school or community group that meets the selection criteria.

Please note: While the First Call Fund exists for those who need it, we are not able to assess applications directly from individuals. Our First Call Fund relationships are built with schools and organisations that represent individuals and families and who access the Fund on their behalf. Find out more about the First Call Fund.

Learn - Public Programs

Workshops for families take place on some weekends and throughout school holiday periods. See the What’s On section for more information or sign up to our eNews to be the first to know about the latest Families and Youth events and special offers. You can subscribe here.